Credit swap in a virtual world

Abstract

Rewards, which can be virtual currency which can include items, on one website are transferred to be used on another website. The one website on which the rewards are earned has reciprocity with other websites, and can send those rewards to another website, either associated with the user's own account, or with someone else's account. In one embodiment, the rewards can be transferred even if the user who earns those rewards does not participate in the website that is receiving the transfer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 on a server computer, receiving an indication of a user taking an action on a first website; 
 based on said taking an action by a user on said first website, said server computer awarding rewards that are associated with said taking said action; and 
 said server computer transferring said rewards to a second website different than said first website, where the second website uses a different format of rewards than the first website, and where said transferring converts said rewards into said different format so said rewards received on said first website are used on the second website; 
 obtaining information about where to transfer the rewards, where the rewards can be transferred to a plurality of different websites, and where said user profile includes information about each of said plurality of different websites, 
 wherein said taking an action on the first website comprises playing a game on the first website and obtaining points for playing the game. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as in  claim 1  further comprising determining on the first website if the user of the first website is associated with a user profile, and using information in the user profile to transfer said rewards to the second website. 
     
     
       3. A method as in  claim 2 , wherein said rewards are automatically transferred without prompting the user. 
     
     
       4. A method as in  claim 2 , further comprising prompting the user about whether they want to transfer the rewards to another website. 
     
     
       5. A method as in  claim 2 , further comprising providing a special transfer which is good for only a limited time, and allowing said transfer between said websites and said special transfer only during said limited time. 
     
     
       6. A method as in  claim 5  wherein said special transfer is only good for rewards earned during said limited time. 
     
     
       7. A method comprising:
 on a server computer, receiving an indication of a user taking an action on a first website; 
 based on said taking an action by a user on said first website, said server computer awarding rewards that are associated with said taking said action; and 
 said server computer transferring said rewards to a second website different than said first website, where the second website uses a different format of rewards than the first website, and where said transferring converts said rewards into said different format so said rewards received on said first website are used on the second website, further comprising determining on the first website if the user of the first website is associated with a user profile, and using information in the user profile to transfer said rewards to the second website, 
 wherein said first website hosts a virtual world with virtual characters. 
 
     
     
       8. A method as in  claim 7  further comprising prompting the user about where to transfer the rewards, where the rewards can be transferred to a plurality of different websites, and where said user profile includes information about each of said plurality of different websites. 
     
     
       9. A method as in  claim 7  wherein said taking an action on the first website comprises finding a virtual item on the first website where the virtual item comprises a virtual item is found in said virtual world that is hosted on said first website. 
     
     
       10. A method as in  claim 7  further comprising registering a virtual character using a code that is associated with a real world item, and obtaining a character based on the code that resemble said real world item, and where said virtual character that is registered is associated with said user profile. 
     
     
       11. A method as in  claim 7  wherein said rewards are virtual cash. 
     
     
       12. A method as in  claim 7  wherein said rewards are items that can be used on the website. 
     
     
       13. A method as in  claim 7  wherein said transferring comprises transferring said rewards to a website in which the user does not participate. 
     
     
       14. A method as in  claim 7  wherein said rewards are automatically transferred to the second website. 
     
     
       15. A method as in  claim 7  wherein the user is prompted for where to send said rewards. 
     
     
       16. A method comprising:
 on a server computer, receiving an indication of a user taking an action on a first website; 
 based on said taking said action by a user on said first website, awarding rewards that are associated with said taking said action; where said action includes an action that is based on a theme; and 
 said server computer converting said rewards into a coupon that is usable in a real world operation associated with said theme. 
 
     
     
       17. A method as in  claim 16  wherein said theme is a movie theme, and said rewards are converted into a coupon that is usable for a discount from said movie theme. 
     
     
       18. A method as in  claim 17  wherein said coupon is usable for a discount from a movie admission. 
     
     
       19. A method as in  claim 16  further comprising providing a special transfer which is good for only a limited time, and allowing said transfer between said websites and said special transfer only during said limited time. 
     
     
       20. A method as in  claim 19  wherein said special transfer is only good for rewards earned during said limited time.